Unveiling the hidden gem: The first collaboration of WFSC with Janus Classics

The Wilhelm Furtwängler Society of China will jointly release a recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 by Paul Kletzki with the Sinfonieorchester des Südwestfunks on 23 November 2023, in collaboration with the newly established American classical music label Janus Classics, under the catalogue number JACL-1. This marks the society’s first collaboration with Janus Classics and also the label’s inaugural release.

Janus is a figure from Roman mythology depicted with two faces — one looking to the past and the other to the future. This concept aligns well with the musical ethos of Janus Classics: honouring revered past masters while promoting outstanding contemporary composers and performers. Janus Classics’ future releases will encompass not only historical recordings, such as those yet to be formalized or digitized (this release being an example), but also excellent official broadcast tape transfers and label independent recordings, showcasing music across multiple historical dimensions. Apart from collaboration with Wilhelm Furtwängler Society of China, Janus Classics has also established a long-term partnership with Sonorous Consort, a contemporary music ensemble in Graz, Austria, aiming to bring exceptional works of Neue Musik into the public eye.

Kletzki, deeply influenced by Furtwängler as his student, had a complex and delicate relationship with him due to the political landscape before and after World War II. This historical context is thoroughly documented in the booklet. Similar to the society’s previous releases, the booklet also includes detailed analyses and evaluations of the piece and performance, as well as technical insights related to the recording. The booklet is meticulously printed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable reading experience.

Music enthusiasts are familiar with Kletzki’s Beethoven cycle recorded with the Czech Philharmonic for the Supraphon label. However, the recording by the Southwest Radio Symphony Orchestra (then led by Hans Rosbaud, precursor to the present SWR Symphony Orchestra) for the Concert Hall label went largely unnoticed due to the absence of any formal, satisfactory digitized release. After meticulous restoration of various audio issues like noise, distortion, volume balance, and instrument transparency, the Janus Classics team conducted a rigorous 24-bit 192 kHz remastering to optimize the sound while preserving the original recording’s essence, aiming to recreate the studio’s ambiance. Additionally, the CD production for this album was carried out this summer by Tokyo Denca Corporation, a company renowned for producing records for prominent classical music labels like Exton and Tower SACD, ensuring top-notch precision and quality. Kletzki’s recordings for the Concert Hall label, known for their warm analogue sound and cutting-edge stereo recording techniques at that time, will continue to be faithfully presented in Janus Classics’ future releases—stay tuned for more.

JACL-1 will be available in China for pre-sale on Taobao on 24 November 2023, and will be shipped on 30 November 2023. Please stay tuned to this website or Janus Classics’ Instagram for further detailed information for purchasing overseas.